Dish and like washing machine



Jan. 2, 1934.

C. F. COLLINS DISH AND LIKE WASHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 am /5 a I I 13a /2a: /0 7a 9a, I I

.Zizuezzfcjr C-FCO ZZZILS Jan. 2, 1934. C COLLINS 1,941,660

DISH AND LIKE WASHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 '40 munication with a drainage outlet.

latented Jan. 2,

UNITED ,sm-Es msn AND mmwssnme mourns cm l 'its'gerald Collins, Tnnbridge Wells,

. England am utee September 9, 1931, Serial No. senses, and in Great Britain June 5, m1

2 claims. (or. 141-9) '1 means The invention has among its objects to provide an improved construction of washing machine of this kind wherein two tanks or reservoirs are provided for use alternately, the im proved machine being constructed to facilitate the operations under washing, rinsing and draining the control of a single lever. 4

'According to the present invention the two tanks or reservoirs, which preferably are argo ranged side by side and may be constituted by. a

single reservoir divided into two by means of a partition, are connected by suitable passages to ports in the wall of the body of the plug cock which also is formed with a port or ports leading to a drainage outlet. The rotatable plug of I the cock which is caused to engage the corresponding seating in the body by means or a spring or resilient means is of hollow forma-' tion and is formed with ports in its wallwhich are so arranged that in one position one of the tanks or reservoirs is placed in communication with the interior of the plug which communicates with the inlet to the circulating pump, .while in another position communication with the first tank or reservoir is shutoff and the second tank or reservoir is placed in communication with the pump, while by a further predetermined movement beyond either of these positions the respective tank or reservoir is placed \in com- Convenient-. ly, the ports controlling the drainage outlet are. displaced axially with respect to the ports for controlling the circulation, and the plug of the cock 'isoperated by meansof a lever .which may project outwardly through a slot in the valve body or in a boss earrying thevalve body and enclosing the projecting part of the plug and the pressure spring therefor. I The liquid in the tanks or reservoirs advantageously is heated by the use of electric immersion heaters, and in order-to ensure that these heaters will be switched off before the tanks or reservoirs are drained, the control lever may be fitted with a am or otherwise adapted so that 55 when movedinto each extreme position for the drainage it acts upon a switch to break the circult of the respective heater.

, The washing chamber containing the rotatable basketisarrangedabovethetanksorreservoirs l0 andforthepurposeofpermittingthereturnflow the like causing the rotating balance between the fluid in the respective tank of liquid from the washing chamber into the respective tank or reservoir which is in use, a swivelling 'pipe fitting is provided of approximately 8 or equivalent formation, such pipe fitting being connected by levers and links or equivalent means to the control lever so that on movement of the lever into one position or the other for circulation of the liquid in one or other of the tanks or reservoirs, the swivelling pipe connection is moved so that its outlet is over an aperture in the top of the respective tank or reservoir.

The circulating pump advantageously is arranged as heretofore, coaxially with the controlling valve and is directly driven by an electric motor also coaxially arranged.

The controlling valve preferably is arranged with its axis vertical in machines for household use, but in larger machines for use in canteens or the like 1 the controlling valve may be arranged with its axis horizontal, so that the driving motor for the pump-may be arranged ex-. terior to the machine and at a remote positionif desired. i 1

' In the assent machines in which the motor is arranged vertically above the pump, the drive shaft from the motor to the pump is enclosed in -a-tubular casing and the necessity for stuiling boxes may be eliminated by suitably forming the pump impeller in known manner to maintain a or reservoir and within the casing enclosing the shaft and thus to avoid any tendency of the liquid to be forced up into the electric motor, more especially if any stoppage should take place in the delivery of the pump. The casing enclosing the drivingshaft is connected to additional ports in the valve body which are arranged in relation to-the ports controlling the circulation so that when either of the tanks or reservoirs "is in circuit with the pump the casing enclosing the shaft isat the same time placed in communication with the pump inlet to permit of or to establish an internal circulation as an additional safeguard to any undue rise in level of the fluid in the shaft enclosing casing.

The invention is hereinafter described'by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in-whichz- Figure l is a partsectional elevation illustrate no ',ing a construction of washing machine accord-- ing to the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section onthe line 11-41 of Figure 1; Y 1

Figure 3 isan elevation of the machine, with the lower part in section, on approximately line 3-3 oi Figure 5.

Figure 4 is a ditic part side elevation corresponding to Figures 1 and 2 and illustrat-v ing more particularly the arrangement for (11- n verting the drainage from the upper chamber to the respective tank or reservoir;

Zig'igure 5 is a diagrammatic sectional plan View on an enlarged scale illustrating the arrangement of the ports in the plug cock, the cock being shown in the position for one tank or reservoir;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the cock in position for drainage from the same tank or reservoir;

Figure 7 is a view in elevation of the plug of the cock likewise drawn to an enlarged scale; and

Figure 8 is a plan view of shown in Figure i.

In carrying the invention into efiect according to one construction, the two tanks or reservoirs 1a, lb may be constituted by a suitable tank or reservoir 1 of approximately U forma tion which is divided into two by a partition 10 at the bend, the space between the two tanks or reservoirs la, 12) serving for the accommodation of the casing 2 enclosing the drive shaft, the electric motor 3 being mounted upon the top of such casing 2 and driving a rotary impeller pump 4 arranged in a chamber 2a at the lower part of the casing 2.

The washing chamber 5 in which the rotatable carrier 6 is mounted upon a vertical pivot is preferably disposed immediately above and coaxial with the driving motor 3 and is supported upon three symmetrically disposed legs which the basket segment adjacent their'lower ends are fixed into or connected by a three-armed spider 7 having a central boss 7a suitably flanged for the seating thereon of the valve body 8 of a vertically and centrally arranged plug cock of tapering formation having its smaller end uppermost. The plug 90f the cock is formed at the lower end with a cylindrical portion 9a extending .and fitting rotatably into a corresponding recess in the central boss 71: of the spider 7, the plug 9 being pressed resiliently upwards by means of a helical spring 10 surrounding such cylindrical extension 9a of the plug 9 and engaging against an internal shoulder in: in the boss 7a.. The lower portion of the plug 9 is formed with a transverse slot 9b for the reception of a fiat or other "car 11 which is clamped in the slot by means of a central bolt 1111, the head of which projects beneath the boss 70., such bar 11 projecting laterally through a slot 7b in the boss 7a and providing an operating lever by which the plug 9 may be turned from one position to the other. The upper part of the valve body 8 is flanged for connection to the easing 2 which encloses the pump 4 and the drive shaft 4a and supports the electric driving motor at its upper end, while the valve body 8 also is formed with diametrically opposite hollow extensions 8a, 3b which at their outer ends curve upwardly and terminate in flanged openings 80, 8d adapted to cooperate with bosses 1d, 1e or other connecting means in the bases of the respective tanks or reservoirs la, 1h which latter are preferably held in position upon such extensions 3a, 8b by means of vertical bolts 12 extending centrally through the openings in the bases of the tanks or reservoirs la, lb and engaging at their upper ends with cages or spiders 13 which co-operate with the bosses 1d, he or the like upon the tanks or reservoirs 1a, lb, and at their lower ends extending through bosses 8e, 8 at the underside of the extensions 8a, 8b of the valve body 8 for the application of nuts 12a by which the structure is held together. The passages formed in the circulation from extensions 8a, 8b of the valve body 8 communicate directly with ports 89, 8h at the valve seating, and the plug 9 of the cock is formed with two ports 90, 9d in its wall disposed close together and separated by a comparatively narrow portion of the wall of the plug, the arrangement being such that in one position (Figure 5) one of the ports 9d in the plug 9 is in register with the port 8h communicatingwith' the extending passage 81; leading from the tank or reservoir 1?), while in another position the other port in the plug is brought into register with the port 8g communicating with the other extending passage 8a leading from the other tank or reservoir la. The plug 9 is of hollow formation and is open at its upper end for direct communication with the inlet to the rotary pump 4, so that according to the position of the plug cock 9 one or the other of the tanks or reservoirs 1a, 1b is placed in communication with the inlet of the pump 4. The pump draws liquid from the respective tank or reservoir 1a, lb and forces the same through an outlet 2b and pipe connection 14 to the spray pipe 15 or pipes in the washing chamber '5. From the washing chamber 5 the liquid is drained hack into the respective tank or reservoir 1a, 1b by means ofa swivelling pipe fitting 16 of approximately 8 or equivalent formation which is mounted upon a downwardly projecting boss 5?) or the like upon the washing chamber 5 and is arranged to extend inwardly towards the centre of the machine. By moving the swivelling pipe fitting 16 through a suitable angle its outlet 16a may be brought alternatively over the respective tanks or reservoirs 1a, lb, filters 1g 01' cylindrical formation preferably being arranged at these positions and being supported by a plate 1h having apertures therein for the reception of the filters lg. The swivelling pipe connection 16 may be operated by means of a lever arm 17 mounted upon the upper end of a vertical rod l'la rotatably mounted in a tubular bearing member If fixed to the tanks or reservoirs, such lever arm '17 engaging the swivelling pipe fitting 16 by means of a pin and slot or equivalent connection 17b, the lower end of the vertical rod 17a being fitted with a lever arm 170 of telescopic formation which at its outer end engages an upwardly projecting pin 1112 or the like fixed to the controlling lever 11, the parts being so arranged that when the controlling lever 11 is moved'to one or other of the circulating positions, the swivelling pipe fitting 16 is moved to bringits outlet 16a over the respective tank or reservoir la, lb. The lever 11 is located in the respective positions by engagement of its outer vertical part 110. in slots 18a in an arcuatemember 18 extending between the two respective supporting legs 5a.

The plug cock 9 is of sufficient depth to accoml modate additional ports 3e, 91 at a lower level than the ports 90, 9d controlling the circulation,

such additional ports 9e, 9, being adapted when the controlling iever ll is moved to a certain extent beyond either of the circulating positions to register with a corresponding port 82' in the body 8 of the cock communicating with a drainage outlet 87 or discharge pipe, the respective ports being so arranged that in the draining position the liquid may flow from the respective tank or reservoir, for instance lb, through the circulating ports 8h, 9d and thence through the drainage ports 9f, 82 to the outlet 87, the port 89 of the other tank or reservoir in remaining closed (Figure 6.)

Ell

Additional ports 8k, 81 are provided in the valve body respectively adjacent each of the circulating ports 8g, 8h, such additional ports 8k, 81 communicating with vertical passages 8m leading from the casing 2 enclosing the driving shaft4a, and the ports 90, 9d in the plug 9 are so arranged that when one circulating port, for instance 8h, is open the adjacent auxiliary so as to permit of internal circulation of the fluid by the pump 4 from the aforesaid casing 2 for the purpose of avoiding undue rise in the level of fluid in such casing. The pump impeller advan tageously is formed on its upper side with suitably arranged blades adapted to maintain a balance of pressure for preventing the forcing of fluid up into the drive shaft casing 2 under normal conditions.

An immersion heater 19 is provided for each tank or reservoir 1a, lb, and such immersion heaters 19 are controlled by separate switches 19a, 19b which may be of the usual tumbler type or of any other convenient construction, such switches being mounted upon suitable seatings on the valve supporting spider '1 in such manner that when the control lever 11 is moved to one or'other of the extreme positions for drainage a cam member lid on the lever 11 engages the switch button in such manner as to operate the respective switch to break the circuit of the respective heater.

The rotatable cage is constructed in segments for example three, adapted to be dropped into the supporting frame 6 which is in the form of a ring having an upward peripheral flange and symmetrically disposed radial members of T cross-section; Each cage segment preferably is constituted by separate castings 20a, 20b, 20c spaced apart by means of bolts 20d or other convenient means. The upper member 20a may be in the form of a grid having inwardly extending fingers 20c formed with slots 20! for the reception of knives, forks, spoons and the like. The member 20b may be in the form of a grid having radially extending curved slots 20g therein for the accommodation of plates and dishes having additional slots in alignment with the slots 20! for the reception of the lower portions of the knives, forks, spoons or the like. The lower member 20c may comprise one or more concentrically arranged supporting bars 20h which may be of toothed or stepped formation for the location of the plates, dishes or the like. Handles 21 may be provided as shown for convenience in inserting and removing the basket segments.

In operating the machine, the tanks 10 and lb are filled with washing liquid and water respectively, and the switches 19a and 19?) are moved to their inward or "on positions. The plates band other-articles tobe washed are placed in the usual way and the cage is arranged for their reception within the washing chamber 5. The lever 11 is disposed in the position shown in Figure 2 and the motor 3 is started for circulating the washing liquid, which latter, after leaving the plates and dishes, is returned to the tank 10 by means of the pipe connection 16. For rinsing, the lever 11 is moved across to its oppomte pomtion adjacent the switch 19a, thus causing the heated water from the tank 1b to be sprayed on the plates and dishes. when it is required to drain the tank in, the lever 11 is moved to its corresponding extreme position in which the cam member 11d automatically moves the switch 19b portal is also open a in accordance with the to its off" position, thus preventing the-corresponding heating element 19 from being burnt out as the contents of the tank 1a are drained by way of the auxiliary port 9c in the plug cock 9 to the drainage outlet 8a. The same operation can be effected for draining the tank 1b, the switch 19a being automatically turned off.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular constmction hereinbefore described. For example, in the case of large machines for use in canteens or the like the valve body may be modified so that while it may be connected directly to the respective tank or reservoir by the extensions referred to, the axis of the cock may be horizontal and in this case the pump and driving motor also are horizontally arranged, preferably coaxially with the plug cock so that if desired the motor may be arranged in a remote position, for example in a corner of the room.

What I claim is:-

1. A dish or like washing machine including a washing chamber, two independent compartments arranged below the chamber, said compartments including a casing of U-form in plan, anupright partition dividing the casing into independent compartments, a vertical sleeve casing arranged in the opening of the U-form casing, a drive shaft in said sleeve casing, a pump at the lower end of the casing and having its outlet communicating with the washing chamber, a 135 motor at the opposite end of the casing, said motor operating the pump through the drive shaft, a valve body in open communication with the inlet side of the pump, tank conduits leading from the respective tanks to the valve body, a con-. duit leading from the sleeve casing to the valve body a valve plug operative in the body and formed with openings and a passage to establish communication between the inlet side of the pump and either of the tank conduits, said openings and passage also establishing communication with the sleeve casing above the pump to avoid undue rise of the level of fluid in the sleeve or the like of all kinds, and casing 2.- A dish or like washing machine including a 1'30 washing chamber, two receptacles arranged below the chamber, a driven pump arranged below the receptacles, the outlet side of the pump being in open communication with the chamber, a valve body in open communication with the inlet side of the pump, conduits in open communication with the valve body and respectively communicating with the receptacles, a drain outlet in open communication with the valve body below said receptacle conduits, a valve plug operative in the valve body and formed with circulating ports opening into a e therein for communication with either of said conduits, and said pump, said valve plug being formed with drainage ports, said drainage ports communicating with said e and operative to establish communication between either receptacle conduit and the drainage outlet at will, means for operating the valve plug, electric heating elements for the liquid in the receptacles, switches controlling the energ'iaation of said elements, and means operatively connected to said valve plug operatin means for pperatively controlling said switches movement of the .valve 91118.

CARTERET FI'IZGERALD COLLINS.

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